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St. Luke's Phoenix Support Group
It can be very difficult to explain to children what is going on when a loved one becomes ill or there is bereavement in the family. It can be hard to cope with their reactions when you are uncertain of your own, or you may feel a need to protect them from the emotional upset.
St Luke’s is experienced in supporting young people and we can help you when it comes to having difficult conversations with children. We can arrange counselling sessions for children individually or as part of the whole family.
We have a bereavement group specifically for children aged six to seventeen called the ‘Phoenix Project’ which provides a supportive, safe environment where children can feel accepted. It helps them to accept the loss of someone close to them by meeting other children in a similar situation, providing practical tools to help them to cope and most importantly by having fun!
Trained staff members facilitate the age appropriate sessions, leading fun activities ranging from arts and crafts to storytelling and games.
The group meets on a regular basis in the Hospice, from 6.30pm – 8.15pm on the third Thursday of each month. Children need not have any prior connection to St Luke’s, only to have experienced bereavement through illness.
For more information please contact our Family Support Team on 01606 555693 or at fsu@stlukes-hospice.co.uk.
Since 1988, St Luke’s has been providing palliative care to local people, supporting them in ways which go beyond the scope and funding of the NHS. Last year we supported over 1,000 local people with a huge range of support from end of life care on our ward to supporting carers, and from helping children cope with grief to helping patients return to work after an illness.We are a charity and provide all our care for free, so we rely on the generosity and commitment of our supporters to raise more than 80% of our costs.